Riley`s Story - Pet Insurance

THE
Quarterly
FALL 2012
VOLUME 9, ISSUE 4
Riley’s Story
Running Toward Recovery
Fur-balls and Football
Our Favorite Facebook Posts
Featured Breed
German Shepherd Dog
In Her Own Words
VPI Helped Save
Our Cat’s Leg …
and Possibly
His Life
A New
Leash
on Life
Riley Didn’t
Let Arthritis
Slow Her Down
VPI policyholder Dari Passarello is familiar with the long
road to recovery—literally and figuratively.
As an avid marathoner, Dari coaches runners for Team In
Training, a fundraising arm of the Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society. So after her beloved golden retriever, Riley, had
surgery on her leg, Dari knew exactly how to get her back
up to full speed.
Going from 60 to 0 in no time flat
From the time she was just 6 weeks old,
Riley has been going for daily runs
with Dari.
“Riley’s my running buddy,” Dari smiles.
“She never turns me down for a run.”
But one day, seemingly out of nowhere,
Dari noticed that Riley had a slight limp.
Her veterinarian recommended taking
it easy to see if her leg would get better
with rest. It didn’t.
happen is that she couldn’t exercise to
the level that she had been, and that
would advance arthritis in her hips and
everywhere else along the way,” said Dari.
To Dari, the choice was clear: “We wanted
to be able to keep her exercise level up
and we didn’t want anything to stop her
or debilitate her. So we went ahead, we
did her surgery.”
Ups and downs … and back up again
Coaching amateur marathon runners
for Team In Training gave Dari a lot of
perspective when it came to Riley’s
recovery after surgery.
After doctors “basically rebuilt her entire
knee” with plates and screws, the once
highly active golden retriever slowly began
to regain her lost strength, one uphill step
at a time.
“We basically put Riley through the
same training routine as we do with our
athletes,” Dari recalled. “She had a slow
recovery process…. We basically had to do
a training routine for her with hill repeats,
going up and down hills, allowing her to
gain her strength again.”
Thanks to her coverage from VPI, “the only
thing I needed to focus on was getting my
dog better,” said Dari. “It provides you with
a level of comfort knowing that you’re
going to be able to do the best that you
can for your animal without cost being a
consideration.”
Dogs*
• Favoring a limb
• Difficulty sitting or standing
• Sleeping more
• Seeming to have stiff or sore joints
• Hesitancy to jump, run or climb stairs
• Weight gain
• Decreased activity or less interest in play
• Attitude or behavior changes
• Being less alert
Cats**
• Changes in appetite and behavior
An unexpected turn
• Licking or biting at the painful area
At just 4 years old, Riley was diagnosed
with advanced arthritis. But, as it turned
out, all that running and exercise had
really paid off.
• Seeking out warmth or soft places
to sleep
• Stiffness, limping or favoring a limb—
particularly after sleep or resting
“One of the reasons they said that her
arthritis is so manageable is that she’s a
very well-exercised dog,” Dari said. “So
they said, if anything, the exercise has
really … been an asset to her.”
• Altered gait (the way in which your
cat walks)
• Muscle atrophy (reduction in the size
of the muscle) in the affected limb
A veterinary specialist gave Dari two
options: 1) take a wait-and-see approach,
or 2) fight the arthritis aggressively with
surgery.
VPI® Pet Insurance Newsletter
Thinking back on their ordeal, Dari
echoed the sentiment of so many VPI
policyholders: “I would spend my last
penny on Riley…. When your animal’s
injured like that the first thought is, ‘All
right, how do we fix this and how do we
make it better?’”
Arthritis Warning Signs
“It looked like it was getting worse,”
recalled Dari. “And at that point, obviously,
we took her off—no exercise, no nothing.”
“If we let it go, the swelling would
eventually … subside, but what would
‘Having insurance was just one
less thing to worry about’
• Difficulty getting up after lying down
• Inability to jump up (onto a chair or
windowsill) or negotiate stairs
*Source: Arthritis Foundation
**Source: Doctors Foster and Smith
For more helpful articles, visit MyPetHealthZone.com.
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Robert Wickman
This is Nitschke when he was just a puppy. He’s named after
a line backer that played for the Packers back in the 60’s.
Stephanie Blanchard
Theo playing his favorite sport on the beach!
Barks & Recreation
Is your fur-ball ready for some football?
Check out some of our favorite Facebook pics of
pets watching or playing their favorite sports.
Amy McKinney
Let football season begin!
Natalie Trevino
This is Chance watching his favorite game, the Puppy Bowl!
Christopher Hallauer
Scout’s ready for some football!
Jayne Roberts
Here’s my 11month old puppy Samson playing football
in the garden!
Follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/veterinarypetinsurance) and
look for the next newsletter post. Your photo and story might be included
in the next edition of The Companion!
VPI® Pet Insurance Newsletter
VPI® Pet Insurance Newsletter
Featured Breed:
Have a GSD? Be Informed. Be Prepared.
German Shepherd Dog
A
Distinguished
History
Though herding and
guarding dogs were long
used by Germans, the
German shepherd breed
itself was not specifically
developed until 1899.
A highly devoted,
dependable and trainable
breed, German shepherds
have a proud history of
serving as police, search
and rescue, military and
guide dogs.
Top 5
Names for
German Shepherds
1. Max
2.Bella
3.Sasha
4.Shadow
5.Duke/Sadie (tie)
Want to know more about
health ailments your pet could face?
Visit costofcare.petinsurance.com.
VPI® Pet Insurance Newsletter
Though everyday and ongoing health ailments might seem run-of-the-mill, the
cost to treat them is nothing but—especially when the problems become chronic
or recurring. Our data for German shepherds
shows the five most common conditions
claimed per lifestage along with their
average treatment costs.*
PUPPY
ADULT
SENIOR
Allergy-Related Skin Problems
$180
$210
$210
Ear Infection
$160
$180
$200
Upset Stomach/Vomiting
$330
$380
$400
Skin Infection
$150
Bone Pain & Inflammation
$310
Benign Skin Growth
$460
$510
Arthritis
$320
$330
VPI Pet Insurance receives more than one million claims each year.
This chart illustrates the frequency of claims affecting
specific body systems for German shepherd dogs.
Dermatological
Digestive
Musculoskeletal/Fractures
Ear/Eye
Infectious Disease/Blood/Chemical
Neurological
Oral/Salivary
Respiratory/Cardiovascular
Other (Endocrine, Reproductive,
Nasal Cavity, Urinary)
Despite their athleticism and physical strength, German shepherd dogs can be
prone to sensitive skin. So it comes as no surprise that 27% of the claims filed by
GSD owners were for dermatological problems.
*Disease/Condition rankings are based on pet’s breed and age. Cost estimates are for a pet of comparable size and age, treated by a veterinarian in the state of
California. The actual Cost of Care for your pet may vary. The most common Diseases or Conditions for your pet were determined through a review of VPI Pet Insurance
national claim data. We obtained this information from claimed amounts associated with a Primary Diagnosis for pets of the same species, breed, and age group as
your pet. We used data from claims that were: (1) submitted under VPI Pet Insurance policies with policy terms ending between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2008, and
(2) entered into our system before November 1, 2008. We counted all claims made under each Diagnosis Code during each policy term as a single event. We combined
all events for each Diagnosis Code, breed, and age group, and sorted the data to determine the top ten Diseases or Conditions for each grouping. We only considered
policies covering pets aged nine years or less at the beginning of the policy term. We did not include data involving rare canine and feline breeds.
VPI® Pet Insurance Newsletter
In Her Own Words:
One Policyholder’s Story
As pet lovers, we’re here to make
sure pets get the care they need.
So when Nicole Granucci and Richard
Opteynde’s cat, Miles, suffered severe
injuries in an attack, we talked them
through their coverage—and Miles
didn’t have to settle for anything less
than the best treatment option.
Who referred you to VPI?
My veterinarian at the time, San
Francisco Veterinary Specialists. I was
originally looking for pet insurance for
my dog but when we adopted Miles,
we ended up buying policies for both.
How has VPI helped you care
for Miles?
When Miles was only about 7 months
old he was brutally attacked by our
next-door neighbor’s dog. Miles’s paw
had been broken.
[The veterinarian] believed he could
put a pin through both bones … [and]
there would be a good chance of a
successful healing process and full
recovery. The cost was well over
$10,000 and we gasped in horror.
We asked about other options, which
were bone fusion, amputation and
euthanasia. None of these were
If someone were looking
for pet insurance, what
advice would you give?
VPI all the way. I have
referred at least five people
to VPI since Miles’s claim!
options we wanted to consider.
I next called VPI to find out our
coverage. Within minutes, I had a
customer care rep calm me down
and guide me through what the
insurance policy would cover. When
we found out that we were not only
covered but that the surgery could
now be done at a fraction of our
out-of-pocket original cost, we were
stunned. I cried tears of joy knowing
we could give our sweet boy a
chance at a normal, active life.
Have you thanked your referrer?
If so, what did he or she say in
reaction to Miles’s story?
SF Vet Specialists actually treated
Miles. The specialist who did his
surgery was very happy we had VPI
so that he could give Miles the best
possible care.
Tell a Friend About VPI!
You might know a pet lover or two who hasn’t
signed up yet for VPI Pet Insurance. Encourage
them to visit petinsurance.com for a quote—
they’ll be glad you did.
Do you have a great referral story? We want to hear it! Email
mediainfo@petinsurance.com, and you may see your story
featured in an upcoming issue of The Companion.
VPI® Pet Insurance Newsletter
VPI® Pet Insurance Newsletter
Policyholder Perks
Puppy Stairs
Our Policyholder Perks offers are exclusive to VPI policyholders.
To take advantage of these offers, log on to the VPI
Policyholder Portal at my.petinsurance.com and click on the
Policyholder Perks link or contact the companies directly.
Discounted Products & Services
10% Discount
Puppy Stairs are made from the highest quality materials and are built
to last for the life of your pet. Our stairs and ramps have washable,
removable covers and are crafted from the finest high-density foam.
Puppy Stairs prevent injuries from jumping for all ages and give senior
pets their independence back to reach their favorite places. For phone
and online orders, use coupon code: Veterinary Pet Insurance.
(866) 767-4551 • www.puppystairs.com
10% discount excludes special sale items.
The Coolest Stuff for the Coolest Pets 20% Discount
Moochie & Co.® offers unique pet products that are functional, well made,
creatively designed and offer great value. They have the stuff pets and their
parents love: durable toys, healthy treats, fun collars and leads and upscale
beds and carriers.
Enjoy 20% off your next purchase! Simply visit www.moochieandco.com
and enter discount code VPI when completing your purchase. (Valid online
only. Can’t be combined with other promotions or discounts.)
Modern Dog Magazine
60% Discount
Exclusive offer for VPI Pet Insurance policyholders: get a one-year
subscription to Modern Dog magazine for just $8.00! You'll save 60% off the
newsstand price. A must read for dog lovers! Get inspired with the best ideas
and solutions for life with dogs. Each issue features breed profiles, budget
buys, activities for you and your dog, health & wellness, dog-friendly travel
destinations, rescue stories, product reviews, photo contests, giveaways and
more! Modern Dog is your guide to a better bond with your dog.
Order online at www.moderndogmagazine.com/subscribe/vpi or
call 800-417-6289 and mention VPI to take advantage of this very
special offer.
FunStuffForDogs.com
20% Discount
Come browse this frisky, friendly store for cool treats, toys, beds, apparel
and more. VPI policyholders get their best discount on these upbeat,
off-beat products for you and your dog
Visit www.FunStuffForDogs.com and use coupon code 06VPI to save
20% on the site, even on sale items (not including shipping or tax).
Make Sure Your Pet Is Cared
for in an Emergency
40% Discount
Angela Boley’s Portaits 10% Discount
Angela Boley will provide hand drawn portraits of VPI policyholder pets
using chalk pastels. In addition to drawing portraits of their pets, Ms. Boley
will draw portraits of VPI policyholders and their family members, if
requested. Once the portraits are completed, she will ship the completed
portrait direct to the VPI policyholder(s). Each portrait will be chemically
treated to protect it from moisture, and placed in an archival plastic sleeve
to keep it safe from dust. She will provide these portrait services for VPI
customers at a 10% discount off her normal cost. VPI members can email
their photos and questions to Ms. Boley at
https://www.artistsites.org/ANGELABOLEY/
Did you know it can take emergency hospital staff up to 6 HOURS to notify
someone if you were to suffer a medical emergency? That could mean
hours more before your pet and other responsibilities were taken care of.
My Notification Service provides you peace of mind by notifying up to
9 contacts to care for your pet, kids, etc. and sending your vital medical info
to the hospital.
Enchanted Forest Press
VPI policyholders will receive 40% off any subscription.
Visit www.mynotify1.com and use promo code: VPI.
This compassionately informative book gives comfort and healing during
a most difficult time. It has heart-warming stories, and expert advice and
guidance from professionals to assess quality of life, to know when it’s
time to say goodbye, and to heal from the loss. Because truly, all we really
want is Just One More Day with our best friend­—our dog. To receive
the 25% discount (with free shipping), please call 949-702-0188 and
mention VPI.
17% Off on Orders $65+
25% Discount
“Just One More Day ~ A Dog Lovers Guide to Quality of Life and Healing
from Pet Loss”, by Award-winning author Geoffrey Bain.
Pet Food and More… Delivered to Your Door! Choose from the largest selection of top-quality pet foods (148+ brands!),
pet meds, treats, toys, beds, bowls, and everything else your pet could
possibly need. Delivered to your door – on your schedule.
Visit www.petfooddirect.com and use Promo Code: PETFOODDIRECT17.
Excludes vet diet, Rx, and free shipping items. Offer valid through 1/02/2013.
VPI® Pet Insurance Newsletter
For even more offers, please visit
www.petinsurance.com/newsletter.
VPI® Pet Insurance Newsletter
Applications subject to Underwriting approval / Insurance plans are offered and administered by Veterinary Pet
Insurance Company in California and DVM Insurance Agency in all other states. Underwritten by Veterinary Pet
Insurance Company (CA), Brea, CA, an A.M. Best A rated company (2012); National Casualty Company (all other
states), Madison, WI, an A.M. Best A+ rated company (2012). ©2012 Veterinary Pet Insurance Company. Nationwide
Insurance is a service mark of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.12RET2048
This newsletter is published and distributed as a service by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (VPI). Publication
herein of any advertisement, article, product information, or any other information or data does not necessarily
imply the endorsement or approval of the advertiser, product, service, or author viewpoint by VPI. VPI disclaims any
responsibility for the claims made by any advertisers in or contributors to this newsletter.
PO Box 2488
Brea, CA 92822-2488
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VPI Policyholder Reference Guide
Visit my.petinsurance.com to:
• Obtain a claim form
• Update your payment information
• View the status of current claims
• Update your contact information
To submit a claim:
VPI Claims Department
PO Box 2344
Brea, CA 92822-2344
Or FAX to 714-989-5600
Martha Ramirez
Customer Care representative since 2004
To speak to a Customer Care
representative:
800-540-2016
Monday-Friday 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Pacific)
Saturday 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM (Pacific)
VPI® Pet Insurance Newsletter
For group enrollment:
877-PETS-VPI (877-738-7874)
Monday-Friday 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Pacific)
Saturday 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM (Pacific)
To enroll an additional pet
or renew your policy:
888-341-0789
Monday-Friday 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Pacific)
Saturday 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM (Pacific)